The Silicon Review ^Asia

The new development can tell us whether the milk is fresh or not. A team of scientists from premier institute IIT, Guwahati have invented a new detector which can test the milk quality and tell about its pasteurization level.

To develop the detector, the scientists used an ordinary paper filter, and after that small disc were made from the filter paper by using office punch. Once the process was done, the discs were impregnated with chemical probes that especially react with alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The white paper disc can be turned into a colored one by contacting ALP with the probe.

After that, the smartphone camera then captures the change of color on the paper disc and the final image is processed in order to get color values. The values are matched with standard data stored in the smartphone. Hence, it could not only detect the presence of ALP but the amount of it in the milk could also be measured.

The detector’s sensor works in two nodes- qualitative and quantitative nodes. It does not require any kind reader for qualitative nodes. The change in color determines ALP’s presence; the accurate amount of ALP is measured using a smartphone.

To develop the kit, the scientists attached the probe discs with transparent square cellulose acetate film (2 cm).  After that, the probe was then covered with a different cellulose acetate film.  Once the process was completed, the scientists injected milk through a tiny hole in the cover, and after that color reaction took place.

It just took 15 minutes for the whole process to detect raw milk from pasteurised one. The final test result can be obtained from a smart phone.

The new invention can be used in milk shops, milk bars, etc.